The Golden Gate Casino in downtown Las Vegas, the city's oldest gaming venue, has transitioned to an entirely virtual casino floor, eliminating human dealers in favor of electronic tables and digital interfaces, according to KSNV News 3 Las Vegas.
Owner Derek Stevens said the move has exceeded expectations, roughly doubling the initial financial projection.
Key Takeaways
- The Golden Gate Casino has replaced all human dealers with electronic gaming systems.
- The shift aims to attract Gen-Z players through a "The Night Starts Here" campaign.
- Owner Derek Stevens said revenues have doubled early projections.
The change builds on the pandemic-era trend toward electronic gaming that gained little attention until now. It also fits into a larger marketing initiative called "The Night Starts Here," aimed at bringing in tourists and locals as well as Gen-Z Americans who have grown up on electronic entertainment.
While some of Golden Gate’s guests may miss the live dealers, others have accepted the departure from tradition. Stevens himself reinforced that technology cannot be a substitute for the essence of hospitality, which is what makes Las Vegas, and its retention of a distinct atmosphere, key to its identity.
If executed, this virtual makeover may yet recast the Las Vegas model of entertainment.
Truckee Gaming breathes new life into Poker Palace
As downtown Las Vegas embraces virtual gaming, another property across town is preparing for a physical transformation. Truckee Gaming LLC, based in Reno, announced a comprehensive remodel of Poker Palace, a small casino that has served North Las Vegas since 1974.
The company, which operates 10 casinos statewide, plans to revamp the property's interior and exterior, add a new bar and restaurant, and expand overall floor space. The project aims to restore the venue's appeal by improving amenities and service quality.
Officials said they hope to update regulators on progress by March 26 of next year. The remodel will temporarily close the casino, with hourly workers laid off during the construction period. Salaried employees will be reassigned to Truckee's Club Fortune Casino in Henderson for training until the reopening.
Las Vegas Sands ends digital gaming venture
Amid Vegas' evolving casino landscape, Las Vegas Sands decided to discontinue its digital gaming division, ending a three-year experiment in online gambling. The company is shutting down Sands Digital Services (SDS), which will impact about 400 employees globally, including 150 in Las Vegas.
Executives concluded that the project did not align with the company's long-term priorities, which have shifted to resort operations in Macau and Singapore. SDS had been developing a live-streamed gaming platform targeting regulated iGaming markets such as New Jersey and Michigan, but the project never reached commercial launch.
President and chief operating officer Patrick Dumont informed employees Oct. 2 that Sands would instead focus resources on strengthening its Asian resort portfolio. The company initially launched SDS after selling The Venetian and Palazzo in 2021, using proceeds to explore technology investments.
However, leadership determined that traditional land-based luxury properties remain the company's most promising growth avenue.
